Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike Global Offensive.jpg
Developer(s) Valve Corporation
Hidden Path Entertainment
Series Counter-Strike
Engine Source [1]
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Mac OS X
Xbox 360
PlayStation 3
Release date(s) Early 2012[2]
Genre(s) First-person shooter
Mode(s) Multiplayer
Media/distribution Download

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO) is an online first-person shooter based game currently in development by Valve Software and Hidden Path Entertainment, who also co-developed Counter-Strike: Source. It is the fourth game in the Counter-Strike franchise, excluding Counter-Strike: Neo and Counter-Strike: Online.

Global Offensive is targeted for release in early 2012. It will be available for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox 360 via the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation 3 via PlayStation Network. It will feature classic content, such as old maps, as well as brand new maps, characters and game modes. Also, it will support matchmaking and leaderboards.[3] Cross-platform multiplayer is confirmed between Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and PlayStation 3 players.[4] The PlayStation 3 version will offer three control methods, which include using either the DualShock 3 controller, PlayStation Move or USB keyboard/mouse.

Gameplay

Like previous games in the series Global Offensive is an objective based multiplayer first person shooter. Each player joins either the Terrorist or Counter-Terrorist faction and attempts to complete objectives, or eliminate the enemy team, first. For example in demolition maps, often abbreviated "de", the terrorist team is given an explosive to plant at a designated location. The Counter-Terrorist's must defend the location until time runs out, and if the bomb is planted defuse it. Global Offensive is planned to launch with demolition, hostage rescue,[5] and a new game mode called arsenal. Arsenal is based on a popular mod for both Counter Strike and Counter Strike: Source called gun game, and made in collaboration with the creators of the mod.[6]

Global Offensive, like previous installments, operates in short rounds that end when all players on one side are dead or an objective is completed. Once a player dies they must wait until the round ends to respawn in most game modes. Players purchase weapons and equipment with money awarded based on their performance. Completing objectives or killing enemies earns the player money while negative actions like killing a teammate takes money away from the player. In addition when a round ends all players receive some amount of money, with players on the winning team receiving substantially more. Global Offensive adds new weapons and equipment not seen in previous installments. Most notably the molotov cocktail which temporarily covers a small area in fire, making it impossible to pass through without taking significant damage.[7]

Development

Global Offensive began as a port of Counter Strike: Source to the Xbox 360 by Hidden Path Entertainment. During the development Valve saw the opportunity to turn the port into a full game and expand on Counter Strike's gameplay. Global Offensive began development in March, 2010[8] and was revealed on August 12th, 2011.[9]

A lengthy public beta testing phase on the PC will precede Global Offensives's retail release. Planned to start in late 2011 the beta will last until Valve feels the community is satisfied with the state of the game. The game's retail release will occur when the beta testing phase has concluded. The beta will initially be restricted to around ten thousand people who received a key at events Valve attended to showcase Global Offensive. After issues such as client and server stability are addressed the beta will open up to progressively more and more people, until the beta becomes open for anybody to join and play.[10] Before the public beta Valve invited professional Counter Strike and Counter Strike: Source players to playtest the game and give feedback.[5]

References

  1. ^ Chet Faliszek (23 September 2011). Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Interview Chet Faliszek. Gamespot. Event occurs at 2:44. http://www.gamespot.com/mac/action/counter-strike-global-offensive/video/6336341/counter-strike-global-offensive-interview-chet-faliszek. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
  2. ^ "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on Steam". Store.steampowered.com. http://store.steampowered.com/app/1800. Retrieved 2011-11-06. 
  3. ^ Eddie Makuch (12 August 2011). "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive firing up early 2012". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc.. http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/counter-strike-global-offensive/news/6328645/counter-strike-global-offensive-firing-up-early-2012. Retrieved 13 August 2011. 
  4. ^ Stephen Totilo. "An Hour with Counter-Strike: GO". Kotaku.com. http://kotaku.com/5834542/an-hour-with-counter+strike-go. Retrieved 2011-08-26. 
  5. ^ a b Alec Meer (15 August 2011). "Counter-Strike: GO Explained Properly". Rock Paper Shotgun. http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/08/15/counter-strike-go/. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
  6. ^ Anthony Gallegos (22 September 2011). "New Mode for New Counter-Strike Announced". IGN. http://pc.ign.com/articles/119/1195971p1.html. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  7. ^ Craig "Torbull" Levine (11 October 2011). "Hands on With Counter-Strike: Global Offensive". ESEA. http://www.eseanews.com/index.php?s=news&d=comments&id=9969. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  8. ^ João "Schypher" Mendonça (12 October 2011). "CS:GO - What we know so far". HLTV.org. http://www.hltv.org/news/7528-csgo-what-we-know-so-far. Retrieved 8 November 2011. 
  9. ^ Alec Meer (12 August 2011). "Revealed: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive". Rock Paper Shotgun. http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/08/12/counter-strike-global-offensive/. Retrieved 8 November 2011. 
  10. ^ Pete Haas (31 October 2011). "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Beta Delayed". Cinema Blend. http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Counter-Strike-Global-Offensive-Beta-Delayed-36562.html. Retrieved 10 November 2011.